[House Document 110-82]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 110-82
STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE
__________
MESSAGE
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE UNION
January 29, 2008.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the
Committee on the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to
be printed
To the Congress of the United States:
Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress,
distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at
this rostrum. In that time, our country has been tested in ways
none of us could have imagined. We have faced hard decisions
about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy,
and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call
for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've
answered that call. Yet history will record that amid our
differences, we acted with purpose. And together, we showed the
world the power and resilience of American self-government.
All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people's
business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning
of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.
The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security
and prosperity of our Nation long after this session has ended.
In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we
recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them.
And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete
for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.
From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we
have made good progress. Yet we have unfinished business before
us, and the American people expect us to get it done:
In the work ahead, we must be guided by the philosophy that
made our Nation great. As Americans, we believe in the power of
individuals to determine their destiny and shape the course of
history. We believe that the most reliable guide for our
country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. So in
all we do, we must trust in the ability of free people to make
wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives and
their futures.
To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with
their own money and empower them to grow our economy. As we
meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of
uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight
months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are
up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but
the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across
our country, there is concern about our economic future.
In the long run, Americans can be confident about our
economic growth. But in the short run, we can all see that
growth is slowing. So last week, my Administration reached
agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner on
a robust growth package that includes tax relief for
individuals and families and incentives for business
investment. The temptation will be to load up the bill. That
would delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable.
This is a good agreement that will keep our economy growing and
our people working. And this Congress must pass it as soon as
possible.
We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress
acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past 7
years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting
tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to
116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise
by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally
be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I
am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money
orders.
Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all
the other pressures on their finances, American families should
not have to worry about the Federal Government taking a bigger
bite out of their paychecks. There is only one way to eliminate
this uncertainty: make the tax relief permanent. And Members of
Congress should know: If any bill raising taxes reaches my
desk, I will veto it.
Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to
earn their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely. Next
week, I will send you a budget that terminates or substantially
reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs totaling more than $18
billion. And this budget will keep America on track for a
surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their
budgets, and so should their Government.
The people's trust in their Government is undermined by
congressional earmarks--special interest projects that are
often snuck in at the last minute, without discussion or
debate. Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number
and cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping
earmarks into committee reports that never even come to a vote.
Unfortunately, neither goal was met. So this time, if you send
me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost
of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my veto.
And tomorrow, I will issue an Executive Order that directs
Federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted
on by the Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, the
Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote.
Our shared responsibilities extend beyond matters of taxes
and spending.
On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility
of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in
the housing market. My Administration brought together the HOPE
NOW alliance, which is helping many struggling homeowners avoid
foreclosure. The Congress can help even more. Tonight I askyou
to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the
Federal Housing Administration, and allow State housing agencies to
issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages.
These are difficult times for many American families, and by taking
these steps, we can help more of them keep their homes.
To build a future of quality health care, we must trust
patients and doctors to make medical decisions and empower them
with better information and better options. We share a common
goal: making health care more affordable and accessible for all
Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding
consumer choice, not government control. So I have proposed
ending the bias in the tax code against those who do not get
their health insurance through their employer. This one reform
would put private coverage within reach for millions, and I
call on the Congress to pass it this year. The Congress must
also expand health savings accounts, create Association Health
Plans for small businesses, promote health information
technology, and confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits.
With all these steps, we will help ensure that decisions about
your medical care are made in the privacy of your doctor's
office--not in the halls of Congress.
On education, we must trust students to learn if given the
chance and empower parents to demand results from our schools.
In neighborhoods across our country, there are boys and girls
with dreams--and a decent education is their only hope of
achieving them. Six years ago, we came together to pass the No
Child Left Behind Act, and today no one can deny its results.
Last year, fourth and eighth graders achieved the highest math
scores on record. Reading scores are on the rise. And African-
American and Hispanic students posted all-time highs. Now we
must work together to increase accountability, add flexibility
for States and districts, reduce the number of high school
dropouts, and provide extra help for struggling schools.
Members of Congress: The No Child Left Behind Act is a
bipartisan achievement. It is succeeding. And we owe it to
America's children, their parents, and their teachers to
strengthen this good law.
We must also do more to help children when their schools do
not measure up. Thanks to the D.C. Opportunity Scholarships you
approved, more than 2,600 of the poorest children in our
Nation's capital have found new hope at a faith-based or other
non-public school. Sadly, these schools are disappearing at an
alarming rate in many of America's inner cities. So I will
convene a White House summit aimed at strengthening these
lifelines of learning. And to open the doors of these schools
to more children, I ask you to support a new $300 million
program called Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell
Grants help low-income college students realize their full
potential. Together, we have expanded the size and reach of
these grants. Now let's apply that same spirit to help liberate
poor children trapped in failing public schools.
On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with
anyone in the world and empower them by opening up new markets
overseas. Today, our economic growth increasingly depends on
our ability to sell American goods, crops, and services all
over the world. So we are working to break down barriers to
trade and investment wherever we can. We are working for a
successful Doha round of trade talks, and we must complete a
good agreement this year. At the same time, we are pursuing
opportunities to open up new markets by passing free trade
agreements.
I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with
Peru. Now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia,
Panama,and South Korea. Many products from these nations now
enter America duty-free, yet many of our products face steep tariffs in
their markets. These agreements will level the playing field. They will
give us better access to nearly 100 million customers. And they will
support good jobs for the finest workers in the world: those whose
products say ``Made in the USA.''
These agreements also promote America's strategic
interests. The first agreement that will come before you is
with Colombia, a friend of America that is confronting violence
and terror and fighting drug traffickers. If we fail to pass
this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false
populism in our hemisphere. So we must come together, pass this
agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy
leads to a better life.
Trade brings better jobs, better choices, and better
prices. Yet for some Americans, trade can mean losing a job,
and the Federal Government has a responsibility to help. I ask
the Congress to reauthorize and reform trade adjustment
assistance, so we can help these displaced workers learn new
skills and find new jobs.
To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the
creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and
empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy
technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our environment
all require reducing our dependence on oil. Last year, I asked
you to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption over the next
decade, and you responded. Together we should take the next
steps: Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal
power while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use
of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. Let us
continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable
fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future. Let us create
a new international clean technology fund, which will help
developing nations like India and China make greater use of
clean energy sources. And let us complete an international
agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually
reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. This agreement will be
effective only if it includes commitments by every major
economy and gives none a free ride. The United States is
committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting
global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is
for America to continue leading the way toward the development
of cleaner and more efficient technology.
To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust
in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them
to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow. Last year, the
Congress passed legislation supporting the American
Competitiveness Initiative, but never followed through with the
funding. This funding is essential to keeping our scientific
edge. So I ask the Congress to double Federal support for
critical basic research in the physical sciences and ensure
America remains the most dynamic nation on Earth.
On matters of science and life, we must trust in the
innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to
discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. In
November, we witnessed a landmark achievement when scientists
discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like
embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has the potential to
move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by extending
the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human
life. So we are expanding funding for this type of ethical
medical research. And as we explore promising avenues of
research, we must also ensure that all life is treated with the
dignity itdeserves. So I call on the Congress to pass
legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling,
patenting, or cloning of human life.
On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our
Founders and empower judges who understand that the
Constitution means what it says. I have submitted judicial
nominees who will rule by the letter of the law, not the whim
of the gavel. Many of these nominees are being unfairly
delayed. They are worthy of confirmation, and the Senate should
give each of them a prompt up-or-down vote.
In communities across our land, we must trust in the good
heart of the American people and empower them to serve their
neighbors in need. Over the past 7 years, more of our fellow
citizens have discovered that the pursuit of happiness leads to
the path of service. Americans have volunteered in record
numbers. Charitable donations are higher than ever. Faith-based
groups are bringing hope to pockets of despair, with newfound
support from the Federal Government. And to help guarantee
equal treatment for faith-based organizations when they compete
for Federal funds, I ask you to permanently extend Charitable
Choice.
Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a
new day in the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and
resilience of the people of this region. We reaffirm our pledge
to help them build stronger and better than before. And tonight
I am pleased to announce that in April we will host this year's
North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States
in the great city of New Orleans.
There are two other pressing challenges that I have raised
repeatedly before this body, and that this body has failed to
address: entitlement spending and immigration.
Every Member in this chamber knows that spending on
entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and
Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford. And we all know
the painful choices ahead if America stays on this path:
massive tax increases, sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or
crippling deficits. I have laid out proposals to reform these
programs. Now I ask Members of Congress to offer your proposals
and come up with a bipartisan solution to save these vital
programs for our children and grandchildren.
The other pressing challenge is immigration. America needs
to secure our borders--and with your help, my Administration is
taking steps to do so. We are increasing worksite enforcement,
we are deploying fences and advanced technologies to stop
illegal crossings, we have effectively ended the policy of
``catch and release'' at the border, and by the end of this
year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents.
Yet we also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure
our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to
come here and support our economy. This will take pressure off
the border and allow law enforcement to concentrate on those
who mean us harm. We must also find a sensible and humane way
to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is
complicated, but it can be resolved. And it must be resolved in
a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals.
This is the business of our Nation here at home. Yet
building a prosperous future for our citizens also depends on
confronting enemies abroad and advancing liberty in troubled
regions of the world.
Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust
that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of
freedom and peace. In the last 7 years, we have
witnessedstirring moments in the history of liberty. We have seen
citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up for their right to free and
fair elections. We have seen people in Lebanon take to the streets to
demand their independence. We have seen Afghans emerge from the tyranny
of the Taliban to choose a new president and a new parliament. We have
seen jubilant Iraqis holding up ink-stained fingers and celebrating
their freedom. And these images of liberty have inspired us.
In the past 7 years, we have also seen images that have
sobered us. We have watched throngs of mourners in Lebanon and
Pakistan carrying the caskets of beloved leaders taken by the
assassin's hand. We have seen wedding guests in blood-soaked
finery staggering from a hotel in Jordan, Afghans and Iraqis
blown up in mosques and markets, and trains in London and
Madrid ripped apart by bombs. And on a clear September day, we
saw thousands of our fellow citizens taken from us in an
instant. These horrific images serve as a grim reminder: The
advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists and extremists--
evil men who despise freedom, despise America, and aim to
subject millions to their violent rule.
Since September 11, we have taken the fight to these
terrorists and extremists. We will stay on the offense, we will
keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to the
enemies of America.
We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the
21st century. The terrorists oppose every principle of humanity
and decency that we hold dear. Yet in this war on terror, there
is one thing we and our enemies agree on: In the long run, men
and women who are free to determine their own destinies will
reject terror and refuse to live in tyranny. That is why the
terrorists are fighting to deny this choice to people in
Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Palestinian
Territories. And that is why, for the security of America and
the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom.
In Afghanistan, America, our 25 NATO allies, and 15
partner nations are helping the Afghan people defend their
freedom and rebuild their country. Thanks to the courage of
these military and civilian personnel, a nation that was once a
safe haven for al Qaida is now a young democracy where boys and
girls are going to school, new roads and hospitals are being
built, and people are looking to the future with new hope.
These successes must continue, so we are adding 3,200 Marines
to our forces in Afghanistan, where they will fight the
terrorists and train the Afghan Army and police. Defeating the
Taliban and al Qaida is critical to our security, and I thank
the Congress for supporting America's vital mission in
Afghanistan.
In Iraq, the terrorists and extremists are fighting to
deny a proud people their liberty and to establish safe havens
for attacks across the world. One year ago, our enemies were
succeeding in their efforts to plunge Iraq into chaos. So we
reviewed our strategy and changed course. We launched a surge
of American forces into Iraq. And we gave our troops a new
mission: Work with Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqi people,
pursue the enemy in its strongholds, and deny the terrorists
sanctuary anywhere in the country.
The Iraqi people quickly realized that something dramatic
had happened. Those who had worried that America was preparing
to abandon them instead saw tens of thousands of American
forces flowing into their country. They saw our forces moving
into neighborhoods, clearing out the terrorists, and staying
behind to ensure the enemy did not return. And they saw our
troops, along with Provincial Reconstruction Teams that include
ForeignService Officers and other skilled public servants,
coming in to ensure that improved security was followed by improvements
in daily life. Our military and civilians in Iraq are performing with
courage and distinction, and they have the gratitude of our whole
Nation.
The Iraqis launched a surge of their own. In the fall of
2006, Sunni tribal leaders grew tired of al Qaida's brutality
and started a popular uprising called ``The Anbar Awakening.''
Over the past year, similar movements have spread across the
country. And today, this grassroots surge includes more than
80,000 Iraqi citizens who are fighting the terrorists. The
government in Baghdad has stepped forward as well--adding more
than 100,000 new Iraqi soldiers and police during the past
year.
While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains,
the American and Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us
could have imagined just 1 year ago:
When we met last year, many said containing the violence
was impossible. A year later, high profile terrorist attacks
are down, civilian deaths are down, and sectarian killings are
down.
When we met last year, militia extremists--some armed and
trained by Iran--were wreaking havoc in large areas of Iraq. A
year later, Coalition and Iraqi forces have killed or captured
hundreds of militia fighters. And Iraqis of all backgrounds
increasingly realize that defeating these militia fighters is
critical to the future of their country.
When we met last year, al Qaida had sanctuaries in many
areas of Iraq, and their leaders had just offered American
forces safe passage out of the country. Today, it is al Qaida
that is searching for safe passage. They have been driven from
many of the strongholds they once held, and over the past year,
we have captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq,
including hundreds of key al Qaida leaders and operatives. Last
month, Osama bin Laden released a tape in which he railed
against Iraqi tribal leaders who have turned on al Qaida and
admitted that Coalition forces are growing stronger in Iraq.
Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but
among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaida is on the run
in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated.
When we met last year, our troop levels in Iraq were on the
rise. Today, because of the progress just described, we are
implementing a policy of ``return on success,'' and the surge
forces we sent to Iraq are beginning to come home.
This progress is a credit to the valor of our troops and
the brilliance of their commanders. This evening, I want to
speak directly to our men and women on the frontlines.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen: In the
past year, you have done everything we have asked of you, and
more. Our Nation is grateful for your courage. We are proud of
your accomplishments. And tonight in this hallowed chamber,
with the American people as our witness, we make you a solemn
pledge: In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to
protect our Nation. And I ask the Congress to meet its
responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding
our troops.
Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet
defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead. Our
objective in the coming year is to sustain and build on the
gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the next phase of
our strategy. American troops are shifting from leading
operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and, eventually,
to a protective overwatch mission. As part of this transition,
one Army brigade combat team and one Marine Expeditionary Unit
have already come home and will not be replaced. In the coming
months, fouradditional brigades and two Marine battalions will
follow suit. Taken together, this means more than 20,000 of our troops
are coming home.
Any further drawdown of U.S. troops will be based on
conditions in Iraq and the recommendations of our commanders.
General Petraeus has warned that too fast a drawdown could
result in the ``disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces, al
Qaida-Iraq regaining lost ground, [and] a marked increase in
violence.'' Members of Congress: Having come so far and
achieved so much, we must not allow this to happen.
In the coming year, we will work with Iraqi leaders as they
build on the progress they are making toward political
reconciliation. At the local level, Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds are
beginning to come together to reclaim their communities and
rebuild their lives. Progress in the provinces must be matched
by progress in Baghdad. And we are seeing some encouraging
signs. The national government is sharing oil revenues with the
provinces. The parliament recently passed both a pension law
and de-Ba'athification reform. Now they are debating a
provincial powers law. The Iraqis still have a distance to
travel. But after decades of dictatorship and the pain of
sectarian violence, reconciliation is taking place--and the
Iraqi people are taking control of their future.
The mission in Iraq has been difficult and trying for our
Nation. But it is in the vital interest of the United States
that we succeed. A free Iraq will deny al Qaida a safe haven. A
free Iraq will show millions across the Middle East that a
future of liberty is possible. And a free Iraq will be a friend
of America, a partner in fighting terror, and a source of
stability in a dangerous part of the world.
By contrast, a failed Iraq would embolden extremists,
strengthen Iran, and give terrorists a base from which to
launch new attacks on our friends, our allies, and our
homeland. The enemy has made its intentions clear. At a time
when the momentum seemed to favor them, al Qaida's top
commander in Iraq declared that they will not rest until they
have attacked us here in Washington. My fellow Americans: We
will not rest either. We will not rest until this enemy has
been defeated. We must do the difficult work today, so that
years from now people will look back and say that this
generation rose to the moment, prevailed in a tough fight, and
left behind a more hopeful region and a safer America.
We are also standing against the forces of extremism in the
Holy Land, where we have new cause for hope. Palestinians have
elected a president who recognizes that confronting terror is
essential to achieving a state where his people can live in
dignity and at peace with Israel. Israelis have leaders who
recognize that a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state will be
a source of lasting security. This month in Ramallah and
Jerusalem, I assured leaders from both sides that America will
do, and I will do, everything we can to help them achieve a
peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by the end of
this year. The time has come for a Holy Land where a democratic
Israel and a democratic Palestine live side-by-side in peace.
We are also standing against the forces of extremism
embodied by the regime in Tehran. Iran's rulers oppress a good
and talented people. And wherever freedom advances in the
Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime is there to oppose it.
Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, supporting
Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas's efforts to
undermine peace in the Holy Land. Tehran is also
developingballistic missiles of increasing range and continues to
develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used to create
a nuclear weapon. Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We have
no quarrel with you, we respect your traditions and your history, and
we look forward to the day when you have your freedom. Our message to
the leaders of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear
enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of
nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions,
stop your oppression at home, and cease your support for terror abroad.
But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our
troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital
interests in the Persian Gulf.
On the homefront, we will continue to take every lawful and
effective measure to protect our country. This is our most
solemn duty. We are grateful that there has not been another
attack on our soil since September 11. This is not for a lack
of desire or effort on the part of the enemy. In the past 6
years, we have stopped numerous attacks, including a plot to
fly a plane into the tallest building in Los Angeles and
another to blow up passenger jets bound for America over the
Atlantic. Dedicated men and women in our Government toil day
and night to stop the terrorists from carrying out their plans.
These good citizens are saving American lives, and everyone in
this chamber owes them our thanks. And we owe them something
more: We owe them the tools they need to keep our people safe.
One of the most important tools we can give them is the
ability to monitor terrorist communications. To protect
America, we need to know who the terrorists are talking to,
what they are saying, and what they are planning. Last year,
the Congress passed legislation to help us do that.
Unfortunately, the Congress set the legislation to expire on
February 1. This means that if you do not act by Friday, our
ability to track terrorist threats would be weakened and our
citizens will be in greater danger. The Congress must ensure
the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted. The Congress
must pass liability protection for companies believed to have
assisted in the efforts to defend America. We have had ample
time for debate. The time to act is now.
Protecting our Nation from the dangers of a new century
requires more than good intelligence and a strong military. It
also requires changing the conditions that breed resentment and
allow extremists to prey on despair. So America is using its
influence to build a freer, more hopeful, and more
compassionate world. This is a reflection of our national
interest and the calling of our conscience.
America is opposing genocide in Sudan and supporting
freedom in countries from Cuba and Zimbabwe to Belarus and
Burma.
America is leading the fight against global poverty, with
strong education initiatives and humanitarian assistance. We
have also changed the way we deliver aid by launching the
Millennium Challenge Account. This program strengthens
democracy, transparency, and the rule of law in developing
nations, and I ask you to fully fund this important initiative.
America is leading the fight against global hunger. Today,
more than half the world's food aid comes from the United
States. And tonight, I ask the Congress to support an
innovative proposal to provide food assistance by purchasing
crops directly from farmers in the developing world, so we can
build up local agriculture and help break the cycle of famine.
America is leading the fight against disease. With your
help, we are working to cut by half the number of malaria-
relateddeaths in 15 African nations. And our Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief is treating 1.4 million people. We can bring healing and
hope to many more. So I ask you to maintain the principles that have
changed behavior and made this program a success. And I call on you to
double our initial commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS by approving an
additional $30 billion over the next 5 years.
America is a force for hope in the world because we are a
compassionate people, and some of the most compassionate
Americans are those who have stepped forward to protect us. We
must keep faith with all who have risked life and limb so that
we might live in freedom and peace. Over the past 7 years, we
have increased funding for veterans by more than 95 percent. As
we increase funding, we must also reform our veterans system to
meet the needs of a new war and a new generation. I call on the
Congress to enact the reforms recommended by Senator Bob Dole
and Secretary Donna Shalala, so we can improve the system of
care for our wounded warriors and help them build lives of
hope, promise, and dignity.
Our military families also sacrifice for America. They
endure sleepless nights and the daily struggle of providing for
children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a
responsibility to provide for them. So I ask you to join me in
expanding their access to childcare, creating new hiring
preferences for military spouses across the Federal Government,
and allowing our troops to transfer their unused education
benefits to their spouses or children. Our military families
serve our Nation, they inspire our Nation, and tonight our
Nation honors them.
The secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is that
our greatness lies not in our Government, but in the spirit and
determination of our people. When the Federal Convention met in
Philadelphia in 1787, our Nation was bound by the Articles of
Confederation, which began with the words, ``We the undersigned
delegates.'' When Gouverneur Morris was asked to draft the
preamble to our new Constitution, he offered an important
revision and opened with words that changed the course of our
Nation and the history of the world: ``We the people.''
By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great
and noble Nation could be built on the liberty that resides in
the hearts of all men and women. By trusting the people,
succeeding generations transformed our fragile young democracy
into the most powerful Nation on earth and a beacon of hope for
millions. And so long as we continue to trust the people, our
Nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the State
of our Union will remain strong. So tonight, with confidence in
freedom's power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to
do their business.
George W. Bush.
The White House, January 28, 2008.